WEB SEARCH / Brave
Brave Search MCP
Provides web, news, image, video and place search using the Brave Search API.
“This project supports both STDIO and HTTP transports, with STDIO as the default mode.”
01 / THE REASONING
Why this made the selection.
- A publisher-maintained replacement for the archived reference Brave adapter.
- Documents transport defaults, tool selection and secret-file support for API credentials.
02 / THE REVIEW RECORD
What we actually inspected.
Source review has boundaries.
A clear record is more useful than a “safe” badge.
Material inspected
- README.md (installation, capability and permission sections)
- package.json
- src/index.ts
- src/server.ts
- LICENSE
- src/protocols/http.ts
Our findings
- The current major version defaults to stdio rather than HTTP.
- BRAVE_API_KEY_FILE can supply a mounted secret; the entrypoint selects the requested transport.
Not established by this review
- Server startup, authentication and tool execution were not tested.
The review applies to the material and revision named here. A newer upstream release can change its behavior.
03 / PUT IT TO WORK
Connect a server deliberately.
DOCUMENTED COMMAND
npx -y @brave/brave-search-mcp-server --transport stdioCopying does not execute this command. It may retrieve a newer version than the reviewed source.
- Configure BRAVE_API_KEY or BRAVE_API_KEY_FILE in the client/server environment.
- Select the needed tools and retain local stdio unless a controlled HTTP deployment is intended.
Before you start
- Node.js and a Brave Search API account/key.
04 / FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The source trail.
Our notes are separate from the original resource.
Check upstream before adopting a new version.
- Official documentation ↗Checked
https://github.com/brave/brave-search-mcp-server/blob/a75d7eff34c260c7bba3bdc0163fd6982c34e370/README.md
Supports: summary, whySelected, bestFor, limitations, install, access, compatibility, transports
- Applicable source licence ↗Checked
https://github.com/brave/brave-search-mcp-server/blob/a75d7eff34c260c7bba3bdc0163fd6982c34e370/LICENSE
Supports: license
https://github.com/brave/brave-search-mcp-server/blob/a75d7eff34c260c7bba3bdc0163fd6982c34e370/package.json
Supports: language, review
https://github.com/brave/brave-search-mcp-server/blob/a75d7eff34c260c7bba3bdc0163fd6982c34e370/src/index.ts
Supports: language, review
https://github.com/brave/brave-search-mcp-server/blob/a75d7eff34c260c7bba3bdc0163fd6982c34e370/src/server.ts
Supports: language, review
https://github.com/brave/brave-search-mcp-server/blob/a75d7eff34c260c7bba3bdc0163fd6982c34e370/src/protocols/http.ts
Supports: review, transports